Ignition distributor rotor



Nov. 20, 1934. J. ARTHUR 1,981,021

IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR Filed Feb. 29, 1932 Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE James L. Arthur, Anderson, Ind., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application February 29, 1932, Serial No. 595,743

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a rotor for ignition distributors for a timing distributor apparatus for an internal combustion engine.

It is an object of the present invention to pro- 6 vide a rotor of economical construction having a detachable segment in order that a segment worn out from pitting may be replaced by a new one.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following de- 10 scription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figs. 1 and 2 are plan and longitudinal sectional views of the rotor embodying the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale than Fig. 2.

The rotor includes the usual molded rotor block so; having a recess lined with a cup-shaped member 21 the cross sectional contour is generally circular but includes a flat 22 shown more clearly in Fig. 1. This member 21 provides a driving connection with a shaft having a similar flat. The rotor 20 carries a threaded insert 23 for receiving a screw 24 used to attach a segment 25 and a leaf spring conductor 26 carrying a button 27 which cooperates with the usual center contact of a distributor head, not shown. That portion of the leaf spring conductor 26 which is received by the segment 25 and the block 20 is normally bowed as indicated by dot-ancl-dash lines at 28. When the screw is tightened to secure the segment 25 to the block 20 this portion 28 is straightened out as indicated at 29. Therefore, this spring portion 29 tends to urge the segment 25 upwardly against the head of the screw 24 thereby tending to resist the accidental turning of the screw 24 and making the use of a lock washer unnecessary. The turn- 1 ing of the-parts 25 and 26 about the axis of the screw is prevented by confining them between parallel bosses 30 provided by the rotor.

The shank of the screw 24 has an unthreaded portion 240, which is conical and is tapered so that its smallest diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the hole in the segment 25, and so that its largest diameter is slightly greater than said hole. The screw 24 is made of brass and the segment 25 of Monel metal which is harder than brass. Therefore, when the screw 24 is tightened in the threaded insert 23, the shank 240. will bind tightly against the cylindrical wall defining the hole of the segment 25 and will thus prevent accidental loosening of the screw 25.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all comingwithin the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A rotor for an ignition distributor comprising a block providing integral lugs and a tapped hole, a metal segment supported by the block between said lugs, a screw passing through a hole in the segment and threadedly engaging the tapped hole in the block, a leaf spring conductor having a normally bowed portion clamped between the head of the screw and the block, the tightening of the screw in said tapped hole causing the flattening of the bowed portion against the block 7 0 so that said bowed portion will exert pressure against the head of the screw in order to resist accidental loosening of the screw and said lugs preventing turning of the segment and the conductor relative to said block, and a contact carried by the conductor for engaging a terminal of the distributor head.

2. An ignition distributor rotor comprising a non-connecting block of molded material having a plane surface transverse to its axis a metal insert in the block around which the material of the block is molded, said insert having a tapped hole and terminating flush with the plane surface of the block, a leaf spring conductor having a normally bowed portion located upon the plane surface and insert, a metal segment resting upon said normally bowed portion of the leaf spring conductor, a screw passing through holes in the segment and said bowed portion and threadedly received by said tapped hole, the threading of the screw into said tapped hole causing said normally bowed portion to become flattened whereby said spring conductor causes pressure to be exerted against the head of the screw to resist accidental loosening thereof, at least one lug provided by the block for engaging the sides of the segment and spring conductor to resist turning thereof relative to the block, and a contact carried by the conductor for engaging a terminal of the distributor head.

3. An ignition distributor rotor comprising a non-conducting block of molded material having a plane surface transverse to its axis a metal insert in the block around which the material of the block is molded, said insert having a tapped m5 hole and terminating flush with the plane surface of the block, a leaf spring conductor having a portion located upon the plane surface and insert, a metal segment resting upon said portion of the leaf spring conductor, a screw passing 110 block for engaging the sides of the segment and spring conductor to resist turning thereof relative to the block, and a contact carried by the conductor for engaging a terminal of the distributor head.

4. A rotor for an ignition distributor comprising a block providing a tapped ho1e,a metal segment supported by the block, a screw passing through a hole in the segment and threadedly engaging the tapped hole in the block, a conductor having a dish-out portion between the head of the screw and the block, the tightening of the screw in said hole causing the dish-out portion to flatten so as to exert pressure against the head of the screw in order to resist accidental loosening of the screw, means carried by the block for engaging the segment and conductor to prevent turning thereof relative to the block, and a contact carried by the conductor for engaging a terminal of the. distributor head.

5. 'A rotor for an ignition distributor comprising in combination; a non-conducting block of molded material having a pair of integral lugs;

a metal insert in the block around which the material is molded, sai'd insert having a tapped hole located between said lugs; a leaf spring conductor having a normally bowed portion lying above the tapped hole; a segment resting upon the bowed portion of the conductor; a screw passing through holes in the segment and the bowed portion and threadedly received by the insert, the tightening of the screw causing the bowed portion to flatten to resist loosening of the screw and said lugs preventing turning of the segment and conductor relative to the block; and a contact carried by the conductor for engaging a terminal of the distributor head.

6. A rotor for an ignition distributor comprising, a body of insulating material having a plane surface and having integral parallel lugs, a metal insert having a tapped hole, said insert located between said lugs and being flush with the plane surface of said material; a leaf spring conductor having a normally bowed portion provided with an aperture, said portion located between said lugs and adjacent the surface and the insert; a segment provided with an aperture; and a removable member having a threaded shank extending through the apertures in the segment and the bowed portion, the threading of the removable member flattening the bowed portion against the surface of the body and the side edges of the spring against the lugs whereby said conductor causes pressure to be exerted against the removable member to resist accidental loosening thereof, and said lugs operating to prevent turning of the segment and conductor relative to said body.

JAMES L. ARTHUR. 

